Monte Carlo Asset Class Historical Annual Returns

Would it be possible to get the indexes that ESPlanner uses for the non-DFA funds? I'm trying to create a spreadsheet with nominal historical returns for a side analysis and want to use the same source. There are many different index sources to chose from (e.g., Morningstar, Russell, S&P, etc.) and they all seem to yield slightly different results. And then there are the differences between index returns with dividends reinvested and no dividend reinvestment.

I noticed that Cash, Large Cap Stocks, and all of the bond categories use historical REAL returns. And all other asset classes use historical NOMINAL returns. Are each year's real returns net of the actual inflation for that year? For example: ESPlanner shows the 2016 real return for large cap stocks as 9.724%. Inflation for that year was 2.1%. So the nominal return would be 11.824%, right? I couldn't actually match the 11.824% to any of the indexes I looked at. So that's why I'm asking. I'm sure I'm just looking at the wrong index.

This is a great package, and your support is always first rate. I do have a financial advisor, but this tool is most reassuring for me as I can play with different scenarios as much as I would like, where he can't......I'll have to show him ESPlanner next time we meet.

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Disclaimer: ESPlanner and all other products provided by Economic Security Planning, Inc. (referred to hereafter as "we" or "our") are educational calculators designed to give you some input in mapping out your financial future, but should not be acted upon as a complete financial plan. MaxiFi Planner and the creators of MaxiFi Planner and any derivative products are not certified, registered, authorized, or any other type of financial planners. ESPlanner and its derivative products are simply tools for helping you think through your economic futures. Any suggestions should be viewed as informative inputs into your own decision-making with respect to saving and the purchase of life insurance. ESPlanner and its derivative products provide neither economic, financial nor tax advice, which can only be delivered to you by authorized professionals. The Social Security benefit estimates produced by ESPlanner are just that -- estimates. Only the Social Security Administration can tell you precisely the benefits to which you will be eligible or are eligible and the amounts you will receive. The estimates provided here may differ from the correct amounts due to mistakes in our computer code of which we are unaware or because of legislated changes in Social Security provisions of which we are unaware or because of delays in our updating our computer code for changes in Social Security provisions. This material is not intended to provide legal, tax or investment advice, or to avoid penalties that may be imposed under U.S. Federal tax laws, nor is it intended as a complete discussion of the tax and legal issues surrounding retirement investing. You should contact your tax advisor to learn more about the rules that may affect individual situations.